The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, has rescued five live pangolins from suspected wildlife traffickers during an intelligence-led operation along the Igbo-Ora/Imeko-Afon corridor in Ogun State.
The latest interception forms part of the unit’s efforts to curb the illegal trade in endangered wildlife and prevent protected species from being transported through the country’s smuggling routes.
In a statement, the unit’s Public Relations Officer, Hussaini Abdullahi, said the operation followed credible intelligence about the suspected transportation of endangered animals through the area. He explained that the information enabled Customs operatives to track and intercept the consignment before it could reach its intended destination.
“Acting on the information, FOU ‘A’ patrol team intercepted the pangolins confined in wire-mesh cages and concealed in a manner clearly intended to evade detection. The suspected traffickers abandoned the animals and fled on sighting Customs officers,” Abdullahi said.
Following the interception, the rescued animals were transferred to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for proper care and rehabilitation, with plans for their eventual release into a protected natural habitat. Abdullahi said the decision to hand over the pangolins was consistent with the service’s commitment to safeguarding rescued wildlife and ensuring that the animals receive appropriate attention.
The transfer was conducted by the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, who represented the Acting Controller of FOU Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni. The handover marked the transition of the animals from Customs custody to the conservation organisation responsible for their care and rehabilitation.
Speaking at the event, Oguntuase said the interception was particularly significant given that another wildlife consignment had been intercepted in a separate operation within approximately seven days. He noted that the repeated incidents highlighted the need for more comprehensive investigations to uncover the networks responsible for the illegal capture, transportation and trafficking of endangered species.
Oguntuase said the operation demonstrated the service’s determination to intensify efforts against wildlife crime while ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s international and domestic obligations on species protection. He cited the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act as key legal frameworks governing the protection of threatened wildlife and the restriction of illicit trade.
Pangolins are listed under CITES Appendix I, which prohibits international commercial trade in wild-caught specimens and their derivatives, while Nigeria’s Endangered Species Act also restricts activities involving their hunting, capture and trade.
“Pangolins are among the world’s most trafficked mammals. This seizure is another clear warning to those involved in the illegal wildlife trade that Nigeria’s borders and transport corridors remain under active surveillance,” Oguntuase said.
He further stated that FOU Zone A would continue to rely on intelligence-driven enforcement measures, expand cooperation with conservation organisations and other relevant stakeholders, and strengthen the mechanisms for ensuring that animals recovered during anti-smuggling operations receive adequate care. He stressed that the unit remained committed to bringing individuals involved in the illegal wildlife trade to justice.
“Those who engage in wildlife trafficking will be made to face the full weight of the law,” he said.
Oguntuase also emphasised that preserving Nigeria’s biodiversity required collective action and sustained commitment from government institutions, conservation groups and members of the public. He called for continued collaboration among these stakeholders to strengthen wildlife protection and prevent endangered species from falling into the hands of traffickers.
In his response, Dr Austin Tochukwu of the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre praised the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and swift action in recovering the animals. He acknowledged the importance of timely intervention in preventing rescued wildlife from suffering further harm and commended the service for facilitating their transfer to a conservation facility.
Tochukwu assured that the centre would provide the five pangolins with the necessary care and support their rehabilitation. He added that the organisation would work towards their eventual release into a secure, protected environment once the animals were considered ready for reintroduction.
